For the last 6 seasons Stiinta U Craiova have had a meteoric rise from division 5 all the way to the top of the League of Champs. After Fcbprofetu laid the foundations Cgabi stepped in on April the 16th this year to push them all the way to league and cup victories. Not to mention they are still going strong in the XCL from last season’s league victory.

While the finishing position of the league table would say at first glance it was relatively easy for Stiinta they only really took control towards the end of the season. Proving the old adage that the season isn’t over until all the games are played. They hit the top with a couple of rounds to go and there was no looking back as they stormed to the finish line.

Yes the club has a controversial history but that doesn’t take away from the achievement of being only the second side to record the LoC double. The cup was a closer affair as it took an extra time penalty to separate the eventual winners from Major BB whose runner up spot earns them a place in next seasons XCL.

League of Champs double winner Cgabi took time out of his busy schedule to sit down and chat to the Xpert Daily

XD: Congratulations on winning the double, how does it feel?

Cgabi: Thanks. Yeah, what to say? It feels of course always great to win titles. However, it is also true that the second time is always less intense.

XD: Your going strong in the XCL, how do you think you will fair?

Cgabi: I hope we will make all the way through to the final and win it! Most critical moment is tonight. Right after the CR, we have to play again our group opponent who probably knows how we will play. Hope we do the same in reverse. If we succeed tonight, then I think everything is possible and we have to be count as favourites together with the Arctic Guerrillas, South Hooligans, Imperium Sine Fine and Samba Juniors... OMG, so much über-great teams here this season. Still, I am confident!

XD: It finished comfortable in the league for you this season. Did you expect it to be easy or were you pleasantly surprised?

Cgabi: It looks comfortably in the end, but it was a close fight until day 12. Until then, Zutiv Mravi was on top and if we had not one this showdown at our home, things might have been completely different. On the other hand, yes, of course, we have the strongest team´, we should win in the end, but this means nothing. In the end, it played out that we played every game to win or lose. Lost 2 games in a row, after what I was not sure anymore we would win the LoC, but I did not draw any game in the league since taking over the team.

XD: Congratulations on also winning the Cup. Did you plan to compete for both or was it a bonus?

Cgabi: Somehow yes, as much as one can to plan this. Fortunately, so far we had luck with injuries, so it was not that exhausting in this way, only cost tons of money.
By competing for both, I wanted to show that I can really bring this club further, and also getting the post-entry justification to compete for the XCL with Stiinta.

XD: You only took over on the 16th of April this year. Did you think success would come so quickly?

Cgabi: The team is condemned to success. Everyone who takes over such a strong team has to win titles, everything else is seen as failure and this with good right! People will probably even say I failed if I cannot win XCL with Stiinta this or the next season. And I will also think.

XD: Your number one ranked manager and still in the XCL. Was this something you tried to achieve and are you hopeful of XCL success?

Cgabi: You cannot really try to be no 1 in ranking, but your ranking goes up when you play many, many games and this not too bad, so in the first place you try to win your games. Of course, if you are listed within the first 5 on the homepage, you would like to be very top, but I never made any tactical decision just to improve my ranking. But yeah, anyway, it feels good to be there, also having 22 bars makes me a little bit proud.
So the XCL success is the thing that is missing, and I took over Stiinta to win this. I am not sure how motivation would be after I won XCL... in the moment, this title is my desire!

XD: Is there anything else you would like to say to the Xpert Universe?

Cgabi: This game is great and makes a lot of fun. But remember it’s a game. Treat other managers as players in a game, with a little respect, otherwise all the fun will get lost!